Clasp for foldable extension devices



March 11, 1930. w. J. ROY

CLASP FOR FOLDABLE EXTENSION DEVICES Filed Feb. 21, 1929 INVEN TOR. Ma /x21 J 20% A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'WILFRID J. ROY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GEMEX COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY CLASP FOR FOLIDABLE EXTENSION DEVICES Application filed February 21, 1929.

This invention relates to a clasp for the sections of a foldable extension device; and has for its object to provide a resilient catch for retaining the sections in folded position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a separate plate for use as a resilient part of the catch for holding two foldable sections together, which plate is of a material better adapted to retain its resiliency than the material of the sections.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a catch which may be easily re placed without the necessity of replacing the entire section of the device.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the foldable extension device in unfolded position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the extension device in unfolded position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the channel section of the device partly in sec tion.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the separate plate member with the resilient fingers folded up therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the device.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the section of Fig. 5 showing the separate attaching member as mounted thereon.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section showing the device in folded position showing the relation of'the separate attaching member to the other parts of the device.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the device in folded position on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 7

It is found in the use of foldable exten sion devices in wrist bands for holding wrist watches in place that the movements of the Serial N0. 341,660.

hand and arm often cause an enlargement of the muscles and exert a tension on the strap which often causes the clasp of the sections of the device to be released permitting them to unfold as the clasp is commonly formed from the material of which the'sections are formed and therefore is somewhat soft, and in such a case when the catch becomes inj ured a new section must be substituted therefore in order to repair the clasp of the device and cause the same to be operative and to avoid this objectionable feature, I have mounted a separate plate or member of harder spring stock on one of the sections to act as a resilient part of the clasp which plate may be entirely removed and replaced by a new plate, if theclasp should become injured; and yet being of material better adapted for spring purposes functions efficiently; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

With reference to the drawings, 10 desig nates one part of a wrist strap and 11 another part which are joined together by a foldable extension device 12 formed of any desired number of sections hingedly secured together. In the illustration which I have 75 shown the top section 13 is channel shaped in cross section having side walls 1 1 between which is hinged an intermediate section 15 by means of a pivot pin 16, which section is in turn hinged as at 17 to an end section 18, whereby the sections 15 and 18 may be folded one upon another and together folded between the side walls 1a of the channel section 13 as will be apparent from Fig. 9.

In order to retain the sections in folded position, I have cut out and formed an opening 19 in the section 14 and mounted a separate plate 20 upon the section 18 with resilient fingers 21 folded up from the sides thereof to engage the edges 22 of the section about the opening 19.

Side ears 23 are formed on either side of the section 18 to receive in their openings 2th 5 the tip 25 of the strap end 11 which is provided with resilient trunnions 26 extending from either side thereof to extend into the openings 24 in the cars 23.

The member is notched as at 27 on either side thereof to receive the cars 23 and thus prevent the member 20 from moving longitudinally on the plate 18 While the tip 25 for securing the end of the strap part 11 to the section 18 overlies the plate 20 and prevents 18 and the member removed therefrom,

whereby the plate is securely held inits position on the sect-ion 18 without solder and in such position that it may be easily removed from the section 18 by merely detaching the tip of the strap part11 from thesection 18, whereby a new or fresh part of the catch may be substituted for the clasping of the device in folded position.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to Which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims.

I claim: 1. An extension device including a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on another, means on said sections for securing strap ends thereto, a separate resilient latch member, means for so holding said member on one section that it can be lifted from position after one of the strap ends has been removed therefrom, another section having catch means engageable with said latch member to hold the sections in folded position.

2. An extension device comprising a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on another, means on said sections for securing strap ends thereto, a separate latch mem ber, means on one section coacting with one strap end securing means for detachably seportions on said member, another section being cut to provide edges over which said resilient portions may snap to hold said sections in folded position.

3. An extension device comprising a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on another, means on said sections for securing strap ends thereto, one of said sections having an opening therein, a separate latch member, interlocking parts on said member and on another section for so holding said member on the section that it can be lifted fromposition after one of the strap ends has been removed therefrom for detachably se- C5 curingsaid member to said other section, said the same from being lifted from the sectioncuring said member to said section, resilientv latch member having a resilient detent to snap through said opening for retaining said sections in folded position.

4. An extension device comprising a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on another, means on said sections for securing strap ends thereto, one of said sections having an opening therein, a separate latch member, interlocking parts on said member and on another section coacting With said strap end securing means on the section for detachably securing said member to said other section, and a pair of resilient fingers on said member to extend into said opening and snap over the-edges of the stock'tohold-said sections in'folded position.

5.. An extension. device comprising a plurality of sections hinged together, means for releasably holding said sections in folded position including a resilient latch member on one section and a cooperating catchdevice on another section, and. means on. said sections: for securing strap ends thereto, the StIZLPJBIldI securing means removably securing said: re-. silient member in position onthe seetionhaving the resilient member thereon.

6. An extension devicecomprising, apluzrality of sections hinged together, a separate. latch member on one section and a cooperating catch device on another section, for re-; leasably holding said sections in folded1position, and means on said sectionsfor removably securing strap ends thereto, the strap; end securing means onthe section havingzthe-z latch member securing saidmember inposition thereon.

7. An extension device comprisingjaplu rality of sections hinged together, avseparatelatch member on one section. andacooperating catch device on another section for. releasably holding said sections inifolded-position, a tip for removably securingza strap Tend. to the section having the latch member, said tip overlying said member and serving to prevent removal of said member.

8. An extension device comprisinga plurality of sections hinged together to foldone, on another, one of said sections having an opening therein, ears on the opposite sides of another of said sections to which a strap end: retainer may be secured, a separate member notched on its edges and receiving saidlside; ears in said notches, whereby said member: is prevented from both longitudinal and outward movement on said sectionvwhen said: strap end retainer is in position, and resilient lingers on said member to extend thru said: opening and engage the edges thereof to holdsaid sections in folded position.

9. An extension device comprising a plurality of sections-hinged together-to'fold one on another, one of said sections having an opening therein, ears on theopposite sides of'another of said sections to which a; strap may be secured, a separate member notched on its edges and receiving said side ears in said notches, whereby said member is prevented from longitudinal movement on said ear carrying section, said strap having a tip secured between said ears and over said member to prevent said member from being lifted from between said ears, and resilient fingers on said member to extend thru said opening and engage the edges thereof to hold said sections in folded position. a

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILFRID J. ROY. 

